Curators spent the time re-imagining and re-creating the past. New attractions include the original Milwaukee streetcar and the lumber yard -- and visitors should watch out for the workers.

Designers explained they wanted to add what they called the Disney effect -- interactive audio and visual displays that touch all the senses (you really can smell the bread at the bakery).

Adding to the intrigue, MPM also debuted a special app for visitors to use as they tour the streets. It uses bluetooth technology to connect everyone on the streets to characters of the past.

"It's when people are fully engaged in their environment that people open up the most," exhibit designer Julian Jackson said. "That's what we're trying to create here - an inspirational moment ‎ where people's minds and eyes and ears open to learning more."

Also on Friday, a team of graduate students added another layer to the multimedia experience: live tweeting the 1892 fire in the Third Ward. Museum historians hope to offer several more of these experiences in the future.